Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-08-18

u1lNe OlilCc, CniI!tSlUh, oN'' 'hS "'S'"'"'N
of His Evcellency, Governor Wilson, eX'
plains itself:
THE GOVERNORS LETTER.
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA,
Executive DEPARTMENT.
CHARLESTON, August 10, ISL
l. Z FDYcrtoa, ". d., Secretary Ned'cdt So
ciciy Of Vest Virginia:
DEAR SIR received your letter OF
some days ago, inclOsing a copy OF reso!n'
tions adopted by the Medical Society OF
West Virginia. at its recent session, dlsap'
proving the appointment of DR.. George l.
Garrison, Of the city OF Wheeling, ~ i
member of the State Board OF Health.
am informed that the Society * com
posed Of about on hundred and fifty OF the
fourteen hundred members Of the medical
profession of this State
Although but about one-third of the So
ciety were present when the resolutions
were adopted, IA number Of whom, since
learning the facts, have, to my knowledge,
expressed the opinion that 4 great injustice
has been done, yet, these resolutions 70
forth rs the expression OF the entire so
Ciety.
What the objections are to DR.. Garrison
appointment the resolutions do not diS'
close; but | have ascertained from member
OF the Society that they are,
First-That he had not practiced medl'
cine the required time-twelye years he
fore his appointment.
Sccund-Fhat he received his diploma
from u medical college after one course OF
lectures, instead Of two.
Until ISL there was NJ law in TIM
| State regulating the practice OF medicine
aud neither examination nor diploma va,
required oithe practItlonri.
THE LAW.
The following is the law applicable Il
this case.
IL. There shall be 4 State Board Of
Health in this State, consisting OF two
| physicians residing in each Congressional
district thereof, who shall be graduates OF
reputable medical colleges, and who shall
| have prlcticed medicine Tor not les than
twelve years continuously. They shall br
appointed by the Governor, and hold then
offices for the term Of four years, unless
sooner removed as provided in this chap
ter. But the members ut said Board now i'll
Office shall, unless removed thcrcirom, rc.
main IN office until their successors are
appointed and qualified.
Goa the first day at jane, l~-2, and IN
every second year thereafter, or ~ soon
after said time ~ practicable, the Governor
shall appoint two members of said Board
| Tor the term Of four y"lts; vacancies in
said Board shall be- filled by the Governor
Tor the uucNpircd term. ANY person 81
appointed may be removed from office hy
the Governor for incOmpctcncy, neglect oi
duty. gross immortality or drunkenness, "r
Tor any cause deemed necessary lor the
public good''-Ch. 80, Acts ISL.
"9. ANY person prlctlrim& medicine IN
any Of its departments, shall comply with
the qualifications required by this act, VIZ:
lfa graduate in medicine he shall present
a diploma to those members of the state
Board OF Health appointed for bis con
gre-,iOnal district, Tor vcriiiration Of IT.
commences.
"Ifthe diploma ia found to De- genuine
and issued hy 4 reputable medical college.
and recognized rs such IN institution, and
if the person named therein I've the prlson
claiming and presenting the same, the sand
two members of the state Board Oi Health
shall issue a certificate 10 that eject, and
such diploma and certificate shall he con
elusive as to the right Of the lawful holders
of the came Ia practice medicine IN the
State of West Virginia. If not Il graduate
at such medical CUilcg"as above designated
every person pTacticlng medicine III this
state shall present himself before the SAID
two members Of the State Board Of Health II
his congressional district, together with thC
presiding medical officer Ot the local boart
| ufhualth Of the county III which the rcspec
tive district or State Board Of licaltl
may hold their examinations, and
submit himself To such examination rs tn,
said board shall require; and II the rNami
nation be satisfactory, then shall issue ;
certificate in accordance with the
facts, and the lawful holder Of such Ccrtili
cate shall be entitled to all the rights and
privileges herein mentioned, except that
physicians, who have been engaged IN the
continuous practice Of medicine in thi'
| State for more than ten wears at the date o
Nlt IsANNAs-' W lHhN 'N'Ni NAilAA' III j" W g
! diploma or examination by the membcr.
Of the State Board of Health, present 10 tn,
said Board an affidavit as to the numberO 81
gears they have been engaged in the prac
ticc Of medicine, and the said Board shal.
issue its certificate to such physician with
out requiring an examination.
The members of the State Board OF
Health in each Congressional District shall
give not less than twenty days public
notice of the time and place of their meet
ing-, in order to accommodate applicant,
for certificates. Chapter 80; Acts lssl,
'FrOm the evidence before me, and oI
which | have 10 doubt, DIR. Garrison had
been practicimg medicine for six years he
for the passage OF the Act ofl-~l, but was
not at that time Il graduate of any medlraI
college.